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People look at someone who is physically fit and want that body. They see all of the benefits that come with having a toned, muscular physique – increased strength, greater endurance, more energy –and they want it. However, these people do not know where to start and get discouraged when they cannot bulk up overnight. If you feel this way and want some help getting on the right track to a fitter body, here are some steps to take to make working out a realistic and sustainable activity for you!
Tips on how to start working out
1. Make a plan.
Planning your workouts ahead of time is important because it helps you to stay on track with your fitness regimen. It is easy to say that you are going to do some exercise, but actually making the time for it and following through will be difficult if you do not have a plan in place. Not only does planning your workout schedule give you a clear idea of what workouts you will be doing and when, but it also can help to motivate you because it makes exercise feel like part of your schedule instead of something extra that you have to do.
2. Set goals.
Instead of just planning out your workouts, you should also set specific goals that you want to accomplish with exercise. These goals can be anything from being able to climb a certain number of flights of stairs without getting tired to fit into a smaller size in clothing. Having these fitness goals will help you stay motivated and give you something specific to work toward.
3. Make time for exercise every day.
As important as it is to set goals, you should also make sure that you have the time in your schedule every day to complete them. If you have a busy job and school schedule, finding free time can be difficult but it is worth working around a few less-than-ideal circumstances to make sure that you can get in a solid workout. Exercise is simply too important and though it may seem like overkill, spending over an hour at the gym or doing two workouts during your day can actually be more beneficial than if you were to split your time between the two.
4. Start off slow.
Working out too much too soon can make you burn out quickly and is not at all beneficial in the long run. Before beginning your workout routine, you should take some time to learn about what exercises are best for your goals and then gradually work yourself into shape. Do not try to start off with an hour of bodyweight squats or pushups if you haven’t done anything physical in years. Instead, start with 15 or 20 minutes of an easier workout like jogging on the treadmill or doing some simple calisthenics like pushups and sit-ups.
5. Find a way to stay motivated.
Staying motivated is essential when it comes to exercising regularly for your health because it helps keep you focused on your goals. If you have a workout buddy, working out together can help both of you stick to the plan and resist distractions. Other ways to stay motivated are to set rewards that you will give yourself after completing milestones or create daily affirmations that remind you why it is important for you to exercise.
6. Incorporate other changes.
While exercise is an important part of staying healthy, it does not mean that you need to change everything about your lifestyle. If you want to keep yourself motivated and prevent working out from feeling like a burden, find ways to make other changes in your life that support physical fitness. For example, drinking more water can give you more energy throughout the day and can also help you eat healthier foods, both of which will contribute to a balanced diet.
7. Find what works for you.
While all of these steps are beneficial when it comes to working out regularly, they do not work for everyone because people have different goals and preferences. If your goal is to lose weight, for example, it may be a good idea for you to work out more frequently and do longer, more intense workouts. If your goal is to gain weight, however, you should focus on eating a calorie-packed diet and doing short interval workouts that build muscle. All of these things work together to encourage you to exercise regularly and stay healthy, but what works for one person may not work for another.
8. Don’t overdo it .
Working out too much can be harmful to your body and will usually lead to burnout more quickly than if you had only worked out a little every day. While exercising more often is great for staying in shape, doing grueling workouts several times per day will probably make working out less of a priority and will eventually lead to quitting altogether.